‘The questions remain: Why? And how could that have happened? … Communities are still waiting for answers’

The investigation into the death of Abdirahman Abdi during a violent confrontation with Ottawa police has strained local relations with law enforcement — and even though charges have now been laid, many in the city are still searching for answers.

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Amira Elghawaby, spokesperson for the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said it was too early to determine whether or not race was factor.

“We will learn more and more, but to rule out race as having been a factor at this stage, I think, is really irresponsible,” she said.

“The questions remain: Why? And how could that have happened? All those various issues of race, of mental health will have to be explored. Communities are still waiting for answers and they’re still looking for those answers as we go forward.”

Abdi’s death sparked multiple protests in Ottawa, as well as in Toronto and Montreal.